One of the worst things about living hand to mouth is that if you don't plan ahead correctly, you find yourself without things that if you weren't living hand to mouth would surely be considered necessities.  Case in point: contact lenses. Between being broke and forgetting to call in my prescription, this week I have the displeasure of being stuck in glasses.  One of the top issues plaguing me is what makeup to wear.  Seeing photos of myself looking washed out and beady-eyed in my nerdy frames forced me to do some research on the best makeup for four-eyed gals.

If you're nearsighted

There are two main types of corrective lenses - those for nearighted and farsighted eyes.  Nearsighted means just what it sounds like.  I am nearsighted, so I can see well up close and read a book or a magazine with no corrective eyewear, but for anything farther than I can stretch my arms from my face, glasses or contacts are required.  Most people who wear contacts or glasses are nearsighted to some extent.

Nearsighted glasses can make your eyes appear smaller, so lining the top and bottom lid can make a big difference in how they stand out.  Mascara and curling your lashes will also open them up and help them pop from behind your frames.  Any other tricks for making your eyes look larger will help as well, so try drawing your eyeliner out just past the lid (like a very subtle cat-eye) and dab light-colored shimmer in the inside corner of your eye and right under your brows.

If you're farsighted

Farsighted people can see items in the distance clearly, but have trouble seeing things up close.  Farsighted glasses may magnify your eyes, so care should be taken to keep makeup looking neat and clean. You don't have to shy away from eye makeup entirely, but keep your liner thinner and your color more subtle than if you weren't wearing your farsighted frames.  Take your desired look down a notch.  Also: Apply mascara with a light hand, as clumps or stiff lashes will be more obvious behind magnifying frames.

Cycle One ANTM winner and reality star Adrianne Curry was seen at the Pineapple Express premiere wearing her glasses.

General upkeep

No matter what your glasses (even if you just live in your sunnies), eyebrows may be the most important factor in your overall look.  Eyebrows are the frame to your frames, so keep them trimmed and smoothed.  If your brows are sparse, you can pick a powder or liner one shade lighter than your hair color to fill in spots.  Conceal any underye circles (which glasses may shadow or make more noticeable) with a brightening creme or shadow underneath your eyes.

Lots of guys dig chicks in glasses, and some research has shown that four-eyed gals are more approachable.  I've noticed myself that I seem more likely to get a callback if I wear my glasses to a job interview.  Glasses can do a lot for you, so pay them back by taking good care of your eyewear. Clean your lenses with a microfiber rag (choose a fun color to tuck inside your case!) and lens cleaner.  I clean mine periodically along the frame with Q-tips to remove oils and dust, and wipe down all parts that touch my face with my facial astringent (I gently clean my cell phone this way also).  Crooked or wobbly glasses are also a no-no and make you look a mess, so visit your eye doctor once in a while to have your frames re-fit to your face.  This service is free and makes a big difference in how your glasses look and feel.  If your eye doctor is far away, the Lenscrafters inside the mall will likely fit your glasses for you with no questions asked.

photo of Pixie Acia (L.A. Ink) from AskMen.com